P.E.I. has a new 511 system to access up-to-date information on road conditions.
Travellers will be able to call 511 from anywhere in the province or visit an accompanying website to receive information on the winter conditions of the province’s highways. The website will be active this month while the phone component will be available early in the new year.
“The new 511 system will help travelers make better informed decisions before heading out on the roads and help them reach their destinations safely," said Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal Minister Robert Vessey.
Travellers can select a particular highway or portion of a highway to find out whether the pavement has been reported as being clear, slushy, icy or snow-covered. The system also provides updated information on travel information for the Confederation Bridge, road closures and current weather information. The information will be updated periodically throughout the day.
In the summer, the system will be updated to provide information on any construction work taking place on the highways.
“I’m confident 511 will be an effective tool in providing drivers with the most current road conditions,” said Vessey.
It's strange enough that School Boards have to provide transportation of students. With the exception of very small rural school boards, very few boards have this task. It makes much more sense for the Department of Transportation to deal with transportation and let the School Boards concentrate on their mandate to provide education. If Vessey really wanted to do something . . . oh, what I saying, best stop right there.